The memorandum between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and ČEZ on support for a factory for batteries for electric vehicles was approved by the government on Monday. The expected investment in the first phase is over fifty billion crowns. According to the ministry, several investors showed interest, including the German Volkswagen and the Korean company LG.
Spicar considers the investment and the whole project to be significant. “The automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic transformation. One of the main technologies is electromobility, and having the production of such a strategic thing as electric batteries here is very important to us, “is convinced the vice-president of the Confederation of Industry and Transport.
He points out that dependence on goods that have to be transported from great distances may not be happy, as shown, for example, by the global shortage of chips. “Being self-sufficient in this matter is very important,” says Spicar.
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He also explains that in connection with the transformation of the automotive industry in the country, many jobs will be lost. “It doesn’t have to be just about the production of electric batteries, it can be a cooperation with universities, research institutes and we can get involved in the development of new batteries,” Spicar thinks about the possibilities of added value of the factory.
According to the vice-president of the Confederation of Industry and Transport, lithium reserves under Cínovec represent a great opportunity to mine and process the raw material, not to export and repurchase from abroad, and thus achieve added value. That is why he considers it the right step to involve ČEZ as a potential investor.
Špicar is convinced that the semi-state ČEZ should play an important role in the mining and processing of lithium in the future, while the partner from abroad may change. “The involvement of the Volkswagen Group in the consortium would be optimal for many reasons,” he believes.
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